Card Briefs: Sanwa Flip-Flops, Will Impose ATM Surcharges

Starting in the spring, Sanwa Bank California will impose a $1.50 surcharge on noncustomers who use its 108 automated teller machines in California.

Sanwa joined a no-surcharge alliance a year and a half ago, but it said it is abandoning its commitment now that major competitors-Union Bank of California, Glendale Federal Bank, and California Federal Bank-have opted to charge fees.

These banks and hundreds of others formed the defunct alliance to counter surcharges imposed by BankAmerica Corp. and Wells Fargo & Co.

"Although we would have preferred to have all of the banks not surcharging, it is no longer feasible for us to be the only major bank in the state subsidizing ATM users," Sanwa spokesman Keith Karpe said.